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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the signature required on an application for a ballot to |
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be voted by mail or a carrier envelope for a ballot voted by mail; |
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changing the elements of a criminal offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 84.001(b), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) An application must be in writing and signed by the |
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applicant using ink on paper. An electronic signature or |
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photocopied signature is not permitted. |
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SECTION 2. Section 86.005(c), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(c) After marking the ballot, the voter must place it in the |
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official ballot envelope and then seal the ballot envelope, place |
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the ballot envelope in the official carrier envelope and then seal |
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the carrier envelope, and sign the certificate on the carrier |
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envelope using ink on paper. An electronic signature or |
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photocopied signature is not permitted. |
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SECTION 3. Section 86.0051(b), Election Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) A person other than the voter who assists a voter by |
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depositing the carrier envelope in the mail or with a common or |
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contract carrier or who obtains the carrier envelope for that |
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purpose must provide the person's signature, printed name, and |
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residence address on the reverse side of the envelope. The person |
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must sign the envelope using ink on paper. An electronic signature |
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or photocopied signature is not permitted. |
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SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies to an |
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application for a ballot to be voted by mail or a ballot voted by |
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mail submitted on or after the effective date of this Act. An |
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application for a ballot to be voted by mail or a ballot voted by |
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mail submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed by |
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the law in effect when the application or ballot was submitted, and |
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the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |